As Jolee and Katara were led into the prison, they learned that rig was located in the middle of the ocean, far from any rock or earth that Earthbenders could use to facilitate an escape. A guard escorts the prisoners into the prison courtyard. Jolee and Katara enter last and the metal gates close behind them.
Jolee: Well, Katara. We're in the lion's den now.
Among many Earthbender prisoners, Haru takes notice of Katara and Jolee. Above the courtyard, a watchman and the warden monitor the scene.
Haru: Katara?
Katara: Haru!
Katara runs up and hugs Haru.
Haru: What are you doing here?
Katara: It's my fault you were captured. I came to rescue you.
Haru: So you got yourself arrested?
Jolee: It was our best option.
Haru: You've got guts. I'll give you that.Come on. There's someone I want you to meet.
Haru then leads Jolee and Katara to a gray-bearded man eating dinner among other prisoners.
Haru: Katara, this is my father, Tyro. Dad. This is Katara and Jolee.
Katara: It is an honor to meet you.
Tyro: Have some dinner. It's not as bad as it looks.
Tyro then hands Jolee and Katara a bowl. Katara accepts the bowl, but grimaces. Katara tries a spoonful, but becomes further disgusted. Tyro finds humor in this with a small chuckle while Jolee tries a spoonful.
Jolee: It could use some more salt.
As Jolee said that, a prisoner approaches Tyro.
Prisoner: Tyro. The prisoners are complaining there aren't enough blankets to go around.
Tyro: I'll talk to the guards. In the meantime, make sure the elderly are taken care of. The rest of us will simply have to hope for warmer weather.
Katara: If you don't mind me asking, what's your escape plan?
Tyro looks at Katara in confusion.
Tyro: Excuse me?
Katara: You know, the plan to get everyone off the rig? What is it? Mutiny, sabotage?
Tyro: The plan? The plan is to survive. Wait out this war. Hope that one day some of us can get back home and forget this ever happened.
Upon hearing this, Katara was shocked.
Katara: How can you say that? You sound like you've already given up!
Tyro: Katara, I admire your courage. And I envy your youth. But people's lives are at stake here. The warden is a ruthless man, and he won't stand for any rebellion. I'm sorry, but we're powerless.
Katara: We'll see about that.
Katara stands up and carries a trash can lid and a ladle, climbing on top of a wooden table. From there, she bangs the ladle against the lid to draw attention.
Katara: Earthbenders! You don't know me, but I know of you. Every child in my Water Tribe village was rocked to sleep with stories of the brave Earth Kingdom, and the courageous Earthbenders who guard its borders.
The watchman walks up to talk the warden, but the warden stops him and listens. Jolee observes this.
Katara: Some of you may think that the Fire Nation has made you powerless. Yes, they have taken away your ability to bend. But they can't take away your courage. And it is your courage they should truly fear! Because it runs deeper than any mine you've been forced to dig, any ocean that keeps you far from home! It is the strength of your hearts that make you who you are. Hearts that will remain unbroken when all rock and stone has eroded away. The time to fight back is now! I can tell you the Avatar has returned! So remember your courage Earthbenders, let us fight for our freedom!
Katara's speech is met with utter silence and a small cough in the background, leaving her to fall into sorrow as she realizes the muted answer she receives. The warden walks away from the courtyard, satisfied at the prisoners' unwillingness to rebel. Later that night while she is sleeping, Aang sneaks into the prison and taps his hand to her shoulder, waking her. Urging her to be quiet, he leads her to the perimeter where Sokka and Appa are waiting to make their escape.
Sokka: Your twelve hours are up; where's Haru? We've gotta get outta here!
Katara: We can't.
Sokka: We don't have much time. There are guards everywhere. Get on!
Aang: Katara, what's wrong?
Katara: I'm not leaving. I'm not giving up on these people.
Aang and Sokka share a questionable look.
Sokka: What do you mean you're not leaving?
Katara: We can't abandon these people! There has to be a way to help them.
Jolee: Helping them won't be easy. Fear of the warden has them in his grip.
Katara: There has to be something we can do!
Aang: Maybe she's right. What do you say, Sokka?
Sokka: I say you're both crazy!
As a spotlight approaches them. the four hide as Appa flies over, causing a distraction.
Sokka: We don't have much time. What are we gonna do?
Aang: I wish I knew how to make a hurricane!
Jolee, Sokka and Katara provide Aang with assuredly un-entertained facial expressions.
Aang: Then the warden would run away and we could steal his keys!
Sokka: Wouldn't he just take his keys with him?
Katara: I tried talking the Earthbenders into fighting back but, it didn't work! If there was just a way to help them help themselves.
Jolee: They're afraid, Katara. What they need is a spark of hope. A spark of hope goes a long way.
Sokka: Not to mention they need earth, or some rock. Something they can bend.
Katara: But the entire place is made of metal!
As Katara says this, Jolee and Aang spot smokestacks.
Aang: It's not! Look at the smoke! I bet they're burning coal. In other words, earth.
With that, Jolee and the others had their plan. Now all they needed to was ignite the spark of hope within the captured Earthbenders.
YOU ARE READING
The Legend Of The Jedi (KOTOR X Avatar: The Last Airbender)
ActionAfter helping the redeemed Revan save the Galaxy from Darth Malak, Jolee Bindo returned to his solitary lifestyle. But by the will of the Force, the wise Jedi Master makes his way to an unknown world far out in the fringes of known space. There he f...
